For a man who has built his global persona around being the ultimate strongman, Vladimir Putin’s silence ahead of Thursday’s Istanbul summit is a telling blunder.
While Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirms his presence and prepares to face allies and adversaries alike, the Russian president fades into ambiguity.
Zelenskyy looks like the alpha
This summit isn’t just a diplomatic opportunity – it’s political theatre. And Putin, who once delighted in centre-stage moments and choreographed dominance, now risks being the most conspicuous absentee.
When Zelenskyy lands in Turkey to call for a ceasefire, the cameras will be waiting. If Putin doesn’t show, he hands Zelenskyy the narrative on a silver platter: one leader is ready to talk peace, the other is hiding from accountability.
Putin looks scared to face Zelenskyy
The irony is rich. For years, Putin posed bare-chested and hawkish, projecting dominance to both Russians and the world. But true strength is about showing up – not just when you’re winning but also when things are messy, when the stakes are high, and when the world demands answers.
Right now, Ukraine is under siege, thousands are dying, and Putin’s greatest fear appears to be a face-to-face meeting with the man he’s so far failed to erase.
His refusal to confirm attendance allows Western leaders to tighten sanctions and amplify pressure. It lets Zelenskyy appear as the responsible statesman, willing to compromise for peace – a position Putin could have claimed first, but squandered.
There’s still time for the Kremlin to course-correct before Thursday. But if Putin stays away, he won’t look strong or calculating. He’ll look afraid. And that’s a fatal flaw for any would-be strongman who once thrived on being feared. In this moment, absence doesn’t suggest mystery – it screams weakness.
